The ancient people living in the fountainheads of the Halilrud river in the southern Iranian province of Kerman were metal workers and miners, recent studies show.

A group of experts doing research in the three fountainheads of the river has found evidence of the ancient crafts in the region. 

Hossein Towfiqian, head of the Halilrud archeological team, said studies conducted by his team suggest metal works were practiced in the third millennium BCE. "A mountainous region within the basin of the Halilrud river has been chosen as the area under study," he noted.

The team is looking at all fountainheads, villages and hills within the area, registering all evidence by photography, mapping, positioning, archeological and geological analysis, Towfiqian said.

The Halilrud river originates from the Hazar and Lalehzar mountains in Baft.